Schenectady city, New York Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Schenectady city, New York has a total population of 68,521, the 10th largest city in New York, with a median household income of $56,398, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
Schenectady city Quick Facts
How Schenectady city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Schenectady city Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Cities Similar to Schenectady city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utica city | 64,440 | $51,513 | $133,400 | 21.7% | 27.6% |
| Cheektowaga CDP | 76,251 | $66,293 | $169,200 | 28.2% | 9.6% |
| Mount Vernon city | 72,528 | $77,171 | $449,600 | 35.0% | 13.6% |
| Troy city | 51,054 | $57,688 | $192,500 | 36.8% | 23.8% |
| Tonawanda Town CDP | 56,973 | $76,644 | $199,400 | 38.5% | 9.8% |
Population Overview
Schenectady city is a mid-sized community located in New York, within Schenectady County. The total population is 68,521. It ranks as the 10th most populous out of 1,287 cities and towns in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Schenectady city is 35.8 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Schenectady city is $56,398. This is 33% lower than the state median of $84,578. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 69% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $152,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $403,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Schenectady city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 44.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 54.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Schenectady city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 19.4%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 39.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Schenectady city, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,287 Census-designated places in New York. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all New York city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Schenectady city, New York?
Schenectady city, New York has a population of 68,521 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Schenectady city, NY?
The median household income in Schenectady city is $56,398, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Schenectady city, NY?
The poverty rate in Schenectady city is 23.2%. This means approximately 15,103 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Schenectady city, New York?
Schenectady city's population is 48.0% White, 19.4% Black, 13.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Schenectady city, NY?
The median home value in Schenectady city is $152,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Schenectady city, New York?
23.6% of adults (25+) in Schenectady city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.